REPLY MADE BY MINISTER

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25177, 7 May 1947, Page 5

REPLY MADE BY MINISTER

WISHES EXPRESSED BY TESTATOR (P.AJ WELLINGTON, May 6. Information about the case at Dannevirke in which he declined to operate section 51 of the Servicemen’s Settlement and Land Sales Act in respect of a farm being bought by a noiiserviceman was given to-night by the Minister of Rehabilitation (Mr C. F. Skinner). The Minister said he wished to correct a “totally mistaken” version which appeared in a Press Association message from Dannevirke, reporting the annua] meeting of the Returned Services’ Association. “In the first place. 1 did not at any time previously decide or undertake to exercise section 51 in the property concerned,” he said. “In the second place, as for the so-called considerable delay in obtaining a reply from me to the association’s representations. I may say that I wrote to the Dominion headquarters of the association on May 6 in reply to a letter I received on May 1 I had already also explained the position to the member for the district. who had made representations to me.

“One very important factor overlooked by those who attended the annual meeting of the Dannevirke association, however, was that there is provision in the Servicemen’s Settlement and Land Sales Act for respecting the wishes of a testator in a will. In this case, although . the original owner of the property died in 1945 without indicating her intentions in her will, the Public Trustee was able to confirm that before her death the testator actually expressed her desire that the civilian purchaser concerned, who had assisted her in the management of the farm, should have the first opportunity of buying it. In confirmation. the beneficiaries of the estate produced further written evidence and have themselves expressed a strong wish for the testator’s desires to be carried out. Would the Dannevirke association have me entirely disregard the spirit of the act, and also the indisputable evidence of the wishes of the owner? If this is the case quoted bv the Dannevirke association in justification of their resolution of no confidence in rhe I hav-° nothing further tn sav.” said the. Minister.